September 24, 2019
One of the most successful men’s basketball coaches over the past 20 years—and one of only four current Division I coaches with at least 15 years of experience to never finish a season below .500—Mike Anderson was named Head Coach of the St. John's Red Storm in April.
“We are very pleased to welcome Mike Anderson and his family to St. John's University,” said Dr. Gempesaw. “Coach Anderson embodies the mission and values of St. John's, with a resolute passion and hunger for excellence. He will be a great leader in ensuring the success of our student-athletes both on and off the court.”
Coach Anderson, the 21st head coach in the history of the St. John’s men’s program, most recently served as head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks and boasts a career head coaching record of 369–200 (.649). In his 17 years as a head coach, he has led his teams to 12 postseason appearances, including nine trips to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. “This basketball program is rooted with such great tradition, and it has a history built by legendary coaches, so this is a humbling experience,” said Coach Anderson.
“I look forward to mentoring the young men who represent St. John's proudly on the court, in the classroom, and in our community.”
Coach Anderson spent 17 years at Arkansas as an assistant from 1985 to 2002, helping guide the Razorbacks to three Final Four appearances, including the 1995 national championship. His first head coaching job came at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he led the Blazers to 20-plus wins and a postseason berth in each of his four campaigns at the helm.
He then spent five seasons as the head coach at the University of Missouri, where he led the Tigers to a 111–57 overall record. Over his final three campaigns in Columbia, Missouri went 77–29, highlighted by a run to the Elite Eight in 2009—a year in which the Tigers also posted 31 total wins and won the Big 12 Tournament. The National Association of Basketball Coaches presented Coach Anderson with its National Coach of the Year Award for his efforts.
As Razorbacks head coach, Coach Anderson mentored 11 All-South Eastern Conference selections, including 2015 Associated Press Second Team All-American Bobby Portis, the 22nd pick in the 2015 NBA Draft and a recently signed member of the New York Knicks.
“Coach Anderson is one of the most respected coaches in college basketball and there is no doubt in my mind that he is the perfect fit to lead our program,” said St. John’s Director of Athletics Mike Cragg. “He has built programs and sustained success throughout his career. He has a relentless work ethic and is focused on establishing a championship-level program here in New York City.”
A native of Birmingham, AL, Coach Anderson and his wife, Marcheita, have three children and five grandchildren.